Cincinnati Reds: Could Scooter Gennett be a trade chip to get pitching?

The Cincinnati Reds are said to be involved in talks with several teams about potential trades. Could Scooter Gennett be part of one of those deals?

The Cincinnati Reds are said to be in discussions with several teams in regards to making a trade to acquire a top-level starting pitcher. The Indians, Mariners, and Yankees are all looking to deal starters that could help improve one of the Reds’ biggest deficiencies. Could Scooter Gennett be part of those discussions?

Okay, just hear me out, because I’m as big a Scooter fan as anyone, but this type of possibility has to be discussed. Scooter Gennett’s name has popped up in some rumors. Could he be more valuable to the Cincinnati Reds, long-term, as part of a trade to bring back quality pitching than he would be as the Reds’ second baseman of the future?

Gennett is coming off his best season and he’s entering the final year of arbitration. He is projected to make north of $10 million next season and unless the Reds are willing to discuss an extension that’s beneficial for both sides, Cincinnati does not need to make a deal.

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The Reds are sitting in the cat bird’s seat in terms of a potential extension for Scooter. Cincinnati has two very good prospects waiting in the wings to take Gennett’s spot at second base. Nick Senzel could start at second base tomorrow and Shed Long is a very talented player who’s just waiting for his opportunity.

The Reds have to be realistic here. Do they extend Gennett, who’ll turn 29-years-old at the beginning of next season, for $12-$15 MM per season? Or, do they trade Gennett while his value is at its highest for something they really need?

Cincinnati has a plethora of hitting on their team. Joey Votto, Eugenio Suárez, Jesse Winker, Scott Schebler, and José Peraza are all above-average hitters. Votto and Suárez could be considered elite hitters with Winker and Peraza looking to put their names on that list if they continue to produce. Oh yeah, Nick Senzel is pretty darn good at the dish too.

Now, as far as starting pitching goes, I don’t think there’s a player on the Reds roster beyond Luis Castillo that any fan feels confident in sending to the mound. The Cincinnati Reds were second-to-last in the National League in ERA last season and last place in the league in WHIP. Their pitching was and has been the Achilles heel for the last several years.

I know Scooter is beloved by the hometown fans, as well he should be. Scooter stepped up the past two seasons and put up incredible numbers. He slashed .303/.351/.508 the last two years with 50 Home runs and 189 RBIs. His OPS+ is 126 during that time and Gennett made his first All-Star last season.

So, ultimately, the Reds have a decision to make. Do they extend Scooter Gennett and push Nick Senzel to the outfield? Or, do they look to trade Scooter this winter, plug in Senzel at second base, and use the money they save on pitching?

There’s no easy answer to the question. Scooter has a huge contingent of fans that want to see the Cincinnati-native keep the wishbone C on his cap for the next several years. Others are so eager to see Nick Senzel that they’re ready to help push Gennett out the door.

Next. What would it take to land James Paxton?

A lot of what the Reds do with Gennett over the next several weeks may have a lot to with his asking price. Will he take a hometown discount to stay with the Reds? If he were willing to sign a contract extension in the neighborhood of $8-$10 million per year, then the Reds’ brass might be able to find some common ground. But if Gennett is looking for more than $12 million a season, then he may make the Reds decision very easy.